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Central Auditory System Plasticity in Implanted Infants
(Supported by NIH/NIDCD RO1DC004552-04)
A research focus in our laboratory is to investigate the effects of auditory deprivation on the development, deterioration, and plasticity of the human central auditory system. To this end, we are examining cortical auditory evoked potentials in normal-hearing children, congenitally deaf children who wear cochlear implants and children with auditory neuropathy. Our goal is to estimate the sensitive period over which the human auditory system remains relatively non-degenerate and/or highly plastic in the presence of auditory deprivation. Knowledge of these sensitive periods of deprivation may enable us to determine the best time to place a cochlear implant into a deaf child.

Central Auditory Development in Hearing Impaired Infants
(Supported by NIH/NIDCD RO1DC006257)
The aim of this research is to assess the sensitivity of the latency of the cortical evoked potential as markers of the development of the central auditory pathways in hearing impaired children who receive intervention through conventional hearing aids, multichannel cochlear implants, or a combination of the two technologies. Our goal is to provide clinicians with an objective tool to evaluate whether acoustic amplification for hearing impaired children has provided sufficient stimulation for normal development of the central auditory pathways. If clinicians have such a marker, then they can more confidently make a decision about whether to provide a child with a cochlear implant following an appropriate hearing-aid trial. Using the same marker, clinicians will also be able to monitor the maturation of central auditory pathways once electrical stimulation is initiated.